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Cardinals land Competitive Balance Lottery pick

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals netted an extra pick in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft through Wednesday's Competitive Balance Lottery, which was introduced in the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement as a way to give small-market and low-revenue teams the chance to earn one of 12 extra picks.

The Cardinals' won the third selection in Round A, which comes immediately after the first round. This year, the Cardinals had a pick in the Competitive Balance Round B, which they used to take college right-hander Andrew Morales at No. 71 overall.

There were 15 teams eligible to receive a pick in this year's lottery, with that pool made up of the clubs in the 10 smallest markets and those that have the 10 smallest revenue pools. Teams that receive revenue-sharing funds are eligible for the second supplemental round only. The odds of winning an extra pick are based on the reverse standings from last season, meaning the Cardinals were the least likely team to be selected.

The added pick means the Cardinals will receive a windfall of extra funds into their 2015 Draft pool. This year, a pick in Competitive Balance Round A added an average of $1.78 million to a team's pool.

These Competitive Balance picks can also be traded, which makes them a valuable asset with the non-waiver Trade Deadline approaching. Last year, for instance, the Orioles sent their Competitive Balance pick to Houston as part of their package for Bud Norris.

These picks can traded just once and only in the regular season. Cash cannot be involved in the transaction.